White collar workers from across Reading swapped suits for boxing boots in a glitzy tournament worthy of top billing in Las Vegas.

Rivermead Leisure Centre in Richfield Avenue was transformed into a sizzling, flame-spouting arena as weeks of training came down to six minutes in the ring for 24 men on the Zero to Hero boxing programme.

Accountants to mortgage advisors, estate agents to photographers paid to go on a 10-week course, pushing them to their physical limits before facing their opponent in the ring – just three two-minute rounds to decide if they will be victors or victims.

Chris said he’d seen shy men, one even ready to throw in the towel after the first few weeks, galvanise into confident fighters while more mouthy blokes put in their place when the moment came.

“It shows how equal everyone is when they step into the ring,” he said.

Chris also paid tribute to the programme’s six assistant coaches who also on the night did “an incredible job” being great timekeepers and warming up boxers ready for their big moment, managing the men’s “creeping death syndrome” of knowing there’s no turning back.

What now for these office workers who’ve seen how fitness can transform their lives?

“They realise you can do both – you can fit this around work, it can be done,” said Chris, who trains every day before and after school.

Some fighters are now interested in getting more into martial arts, possibly even competitions, others just keeping up their fitness.

Chris said discussions were also underway for possibly having a ‘Phase 2’ for Season 1 fighters where they could go on to compete in a contest with knockout tournaments.

He also said the idea of having a small women’s team as part of Season 2 was also being mooted.

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Video footage of Saturday’s fights will be found on YouTube in the next few weeks.

Training for Season 2 is due to start later this month but there’s still time to sign up.